Device and method for securing tools above ground

ABSTRACT

A bin designed to be hung on the rung of a ladder or railing in a work area. For use on ladders the rear panel of the bin has pockets to securely straddle the legs of the ladder. Inserts allow the bin to be hung on the outer or inner sides a ladder.

BACKGROUND

One of the problems when working on a ladder, a lift, a bucket, or other altitude assisting device, is access to tools. Without a secure place to store needed tools, the safety of personnel on the ladder as well as safety of people below is jeopardized. And when wearing a bulky tool belt, the user has excess weight and clutter restricting his movement. In addition, efficiency is sacrificed due to repeated trips down and up the ladder for the proper tool.

SUMMARY

A device and method is disclosed to allow a storage device or bin to be safe and securely attached to ladders or lifts. The bin includes recesses or pockets to allow straddling of ladder legs and means to grip a ladder's rung. And the bin includes additional brackets for attachment to rails on lifts, platforms, buckets and other work areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bin.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a bin mounted on a ladder

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a fabricated bin exploded to show individual parts.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a bin mounted on a step ladder.

FIG. 5 is a view of an insert or wedge enabling a bin to affix to the inside of the ladder.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of embodiment of a bin mounted on a railing.

FIG. 7 is an isometric front view of another embodiment of a bin.

FIG. 8 is an isometric rear view of another embodiment of a bin.

FIG. 9 is an isometric rear view of another embodiment of a bin mounted on a ladder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiment shown on FIGS. 1-3 is a fabricated bin (1) with four sides including a front, a rear and two laterals connected to a bottom to surround an open area. To facilitate a secure mounting on a ladder (5), the bin (1) includes pockets (2) on its rear panel (3) to straddle each leg (6) of the ladder (5). This enables the bin (1) to be generally level per OSHA ladder safety requirements and also further stabilizes and secures the bin (1) to the ladder (5). A bracket (4) is attached to the rear panel (3) to grip a rung (7) on the ladder (5).

FIG. 3 shows the details of one possible fabrication. A “U” shaped section (8) with a rear panel (3), front panel (13) and bottom panel (14) has an end cap (9) at each end. Two pockets (2) are located in the rear panel (3) of the “U” section (8) to straddle the legs (6) of a ladder (5). The end caps (9) and bracket (4) can be attached to the “U” section (8) by rivets (12) as shown in this embodiment. But other means for attachment of the components in this embodiment are readily apparent to those skilled in the art (e.g. screws, welding, adhesives, etc.). If multiple compartments are desired, removable panels (10) can be inserted into slots (11) on the front (13) and rear (3) panels of the “U” section (8).

Essentially, any type of rigid material such as metal, wood, or plastic, can be used to fabricate the bin (1). In other embodiments, the bin can be molded or cast as one piece or separate pieces for assembly for example as shown on FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. Channels (15) can be added for strengthening.

The embodiment disclosed above allows hanging of the bin (1) on the outer portion (17) of a ladder (5) on which a user climbs the ladder. Inserts (16) can be inserted into the pockets (2) to allow the bin (1) to be hung on the inner portion (18) of a ladder (5). The inserts are designed to extend from the bin to the ladder to maintain the bin in a level position.

The bracket (4) is sized to securely grip the ladder (5) on which it is intended to be hung. And the bin can be designed to allow the easy exchange of different sized brackets (4) as warranted for the intended use. In an alternative embodiment the bracket (4) can be adjusted to different locations on the rear panel (3). In other embodiments a flexible cord such as straps or rope can be attached to the bin (1) and secured to the rung on a ladder (5).

Similarly, the pockets (2) are sized to securely straddle the legs of the intended ladder (5). Different sized inserts can be designed to reduce the opening of the pocket (2) to allow use on different sized legs (6) of ladders (5).

The bin is enclosed on its sides and bottom and at least partially open on its top. In alternative embodiments the top is closed with a full or partial cover allowing opening for access by removal, lifting, sliding or other means. The sides, bottom and top cover (if included) may also have openings as warranted for particular tools or other items needed for a particular job to be performed. In addition inserts can be designed to install in the bin to securely hold different shaped tools or containers such as a paint can.

The configuration of the storage device or bin can be varied to accommodate the particular intended use and tools. For example, the size of the bin; the number, size and shape of compartments; the shape of the bin; the size and shape of the bracket can all be changed as warranted for a particular application. If the bin is circular or oval, any portion of the sides can be considered the front or rear for purposes of this application with the bracket typically centered above the pockets. Rectangular bins has four panels comprised of a front, a rear, a bottom and 2 laterals joined together forming an opening between the panels.

The bin can also be designed to be tapered such that the outer circumference of the bin is reduced from the top to bottom to allow nesting of empty bins if compartment dividers are not present. Various shaped hooks and clamps can be included on the exterior of the bin (1).

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the bin to enable securely hanging the bin on the railing of a lift, bucket, platform, or other work area with railing. In the embodiment the bracket (4) is placed over a railing (19). Additional brackets secured to one or both end caps (9) allow their placement over adjacent railing(s) (20).

In another embodiment, the bin extends beyond one of the legs of the ladder. And in a further embodiment the bin is designed such that the bin is held in position by a bracket positioned at one end of the bin and hung from a rung of a ladder. The second point of securing this bin to a ladder is only one pocket in the bin straddling one leg of a ladder.

The above is a detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention. It is recognized that departures from the disclosed embodiments may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. Those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed herein and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All of the embodiments disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. 

1. A bin comprising: at least one side surrounding an opening; a bottom attached to the at least one side and any other side; an open top; at least one pocket in at least one of the side(s) in which the pocket is designed to straddle the leg of a ladder; and at least one bracket attached to at least one side and designed to be hung on a rung of the ladder.
 2. A bin according to claim 1 in which the number of sides is four including a front, a rear, and two laterals wherein each lateral is attached to the front and the rear, and all four sides are attached to the bottom.
 3. A bin according to claim 2 in which the bracket and any pockets are located on the rear of the bin.
 4. A bin according to claim 3 in which there is one pocket for each leg of the ladder.
 5. A bin according to claim 4 further comprising a cover for at least part of the top.
 6. A bin according to claim 4 further comprising an opening in at least one side as warranted for a particular application.
 7. A bin according to claim 4 in which the sides are tapered down from the top to the bottom of the bin.
 8. A bin according to claim 4 further comprising removable inserts for the pockets designed to extend from the bin to the ladder to maintain the bin in a level position when the bin is hung on the inner portion of the ladder.
 9. A bin according to claim 4 in which the four sides and bottom are a rigid material.
 10. A bin according to claim 4 in which the bin is cast.
 11. A bin according to claim 4 in which the bin is molded.
 12. A bin comprising: at least one side surrounding an opening; a bottom attached to at least one side and any other side; an open top; at least two brackets designed to be hung on adjacent railings at a work area.
 13. A bin according to claim 12 in which the number of sides is four including a front, a rear, and two laterals each lateral attached to the front and the rear, and all four sides attached are to the bottom.
 14. A bin according to claim 13 in which the bin is fabricated of a rigid material.
 15. A bin according to claim 13 in which the bin is molded.
 16. A bin according to claim 13 further comprising a cover for at least part of the top.
 17. A bin comprising: a front; a rear; a bottom joined to the front and rear; two laterals joined to the front, rear and bottom; an open top; two pockets in the rear designed to straddle the leg of a ladder; and a means to secure the bin to the ladder.
 18. A bin according to claim 17 in which a bracket is used to secure the bin to the ladder.
 19. A bin according to claim 17 in which a flexible cord is used to secure the bin to the ladder.
 20. A bin according to claim 17 in which the bin is molded. 